Acknowledgements

It gives me great pleasure to note my deep sense of gratitude to my research guide Dr. Kanchan Mande. She patiently checked this dissertation word by word and gave me valuable instructions. She helped me in manifold ways. I am truly grateful to her.

Dr. Shailaja Katre, Head of the department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages, S. P. Pune University, always supported me in various matters. I thank her cordially.

Dr. Swarnalata Bhishikar introduced me to the philosophical literature of Sri Ramaṇa Maharṣi. I thank her heartily.

I offer thanks to Dr. Rajashri Mohadikar, Dr. Mugdha Gadgil, Dr. Dinesh Rasal, Prof. Nirmala Kulkarni and all other teachers from D.S.P.L. and C.A.S.S., S. P. Pune University for their constant support.

Prof. Prasad Joshi, General Editor (I/C) Sanskrit Dictionary Project, Deccan College Deemed University Pune, supported and encouraged me time to time. I thank him sincerely.

I would like to thank Prof. Shripad Bhat, Head of Shri Balmukund

Lohia Centre of Sanskrit and Indological Studies, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth as well as Dr. Ambarish Khare and other teachers from T.M.V. for encouraging me.

I am grateful to the personnel of the libraries of Department of

Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages, Centre of Advanced Study in Sanskrit, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, and Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth.

I must mention here the support I got from Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. I offer my sincere thanks to the authorites as well as all others from Sri Ramanasramam.

I thank my friends Bhavana Balte, Pranav Gokhale, Nidhi Vader and others for their warm support. I note my deep sense of gratitude to Dr. Girish, Smt. Sunanda Nene and all other well-wishers for their timely help.

I am deeply indebted to my parents Vitthal Joshi and Meena Joshi for their firm back-up. I am always thankful to them.

Maithili Joshi